Statue of Julius Nyerere Unveiled at AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa

ADDIS ABABA – Today marked the unveiling of a statue honoring Julius Nyerere, the former President of Tanzania, within the African Union Commission (AUC) headquarters in Addis Ababa. Known as the “Father of Tanzania,” Nyerere played a crucial role in the African independence movement, advocating for liberation from colonial rule.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the statue is situated in the compound of the AU Headquarters at the Julius Nyerere Peace and Security Building, unveiled during a side event of the ongoing 37th African Union summit. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, current AU Chairperson Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and numerous other African leaders and dignitaries.

Nyerere, who led Tanzania to independence from British colonial rule in 1961 and became its first president in 1964, is celebrated for his contributions to the creation of the Organization of African Unity, the precursor to the AU, and for his implementation of ujamaa, a form of African socialism. His philosophy significantly impacted Tanzania’s agricultural sector and governance, serving as president until 1985. Nyerere’s legacy is remembered for his belief in the importance of unity for Africa’s future.

This unveiling adds to the series of statues at the AU headquarters, including those of Ghanaian Pan-Africanist Kwame Nkrumah and Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, inaugurated in 2019 and 2012 respectively, commemorating Africa’s influential leaders and their contributions to the continent’s unity and development.